One of the hardest things for both humans and our companion animals is saying goodbye. We know as well as you, that your pet is a part of the family. That's why we are here to help, comfort, and ease the journey for you, your family, and your pet.

How do I know when it's time?

Your pet's quality of life is the most important factor when it comes to the right timing. Quality of life can mean something different to everyone, and it can sometimes be hard to assess, as your pet cannot tell you exactly how they are feeling. Your pet's quality of life can be best determined by you, the pet owner, with the help of a veterinarian. Some of the biggest factor's that go into determining proper quality of life include: changes in appetite, pain/comfortability, changes in hygiene, behavioral changes, ease and willingness of mobility, and most importantly: do the good days outweigh the bad? If you are questioning one or more of these factors, a physical exam performed by our veterinarian would be a wise idea to help determine your next step. Ohio State University created a chart in which you may print off and use to score your pet's Quality of Life. You are welcome to bring the results with you to your pet's appointment and the veterinarian can help you further determine the next step.​

Click "Download File" to download the​Quality of Life scale from Ohio State University in PDF format.

What is humane euthanasia and what do I need to know?

Humane euthanasia is a very peaceful, pain free way of helping your pet to their next journey. It may sound scary at first, but many in the veterinary field consider euthanasia to be a wonderful gift for our pet's that may be suffering. It is a procedure that needs to be performed by a veterinarian, sometimes with the help of a technician. Sometimes an intravenous catheter is placed in the front leg, to provide access to a vein where the medication will be injected. The medication is simply a sedative, but an overdose of it. The pet will simply fall asleep, peacefully and without any pain. Then, their heart will stop and they will be at peace. At Newton Animal Clinic, we have the ability to help you make choices about end of life care. If euthanasia is the final step for your beloved pet, you may choose to be present or not. This choice is entirely up to you, and there is no right or wrong choice. Being present simply means being in the room with your pet, where you may interact with them during the procedure. We welcome owners and their families to spend as much time as they need with their pet prior to the procedure as well. Most of the time, emotions can be overwhelming. We want you to know that we care! It is not uncommon for the veterinarian or veterinary technician to shed a tear with you, offer a hug, or simply state how truly sorry they are for your family and their loss. We love our pets too, so we understand how truly difficult this process really is. That is why we go above and beyond to make this journey a little bit easier.

What happens after my pet has passed away?

There are countless theories on the afterlife for both animals and humans. With companion animals, the biggest afterlife theory is the RainbowBridge. This can be a very individual opinion, so ultimately, we leave it up to you. However, we offer a few options as far as after care to best serve your needs. Maybe you live in a rural setting, and would like to bury your pet at home. Maybe cremation is a better option for you. Whatever you decide, we will be there to help, in hopes of making the process a little easier. Grief is different for everybody. There are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Regardless of where you are in the grieving process, it still hurts. We understand that losing your pet is extremely difficult. Our goal is to offer outstanding support and understanding, so that you feel confident and comfortable with your decision. Know we are here to listen and help.

Aftercare Options

At Newton Animal Clinic, we have the fortunate ability to provide different options to our clients for after care following euthanasia. If you live in town and are unable to bury your animal, or just choose not to bury, we offer cremation options. If you choose to bury your pet, we will provide you with a burial box to help transport your pet to their destination. Here at Newton Animal Clinic, we have our own crematorium in which we can process ashes. You may choose cremation without the return of your pet's ashes, or you may choose to receive your pet's ashes back. If you would like your pet's ashes back, we are happy to show you our catalog of specialty urns, or you may choose the simple standard container. If you choose cremation services, we will make a custom imprint of your pet's paw as a keepsake for you to cherish. We like to think it gives owners piece of mind that their pet was handled with care by trained veterinary staff from the beginning to the end of the euthanasia procedure. If you have any questions about cremation or our end of life services, please call us or stop by to ask a staff member today.

We sincerely thank you for choosing the Newton Animal Clinic for your pet's health care.